Four-month-old girl chokes on mom's milk, dies

CHENNAI: A four-month-old girl died while feeding at her mother's breast in Kondithope on Thursday. It is suspected that milk blocked her windpipe and she choked.

Sources said Lakshmi, 28, of Krishnappa Agraharam in Kondithope was alone at home when the incident took place. As her daughter was crying constantly, Lakshmi tried feeding her. The child continued crying. Despite this she forced the girl to drink the milk. A little later the child fell unconcious and the milk came out of her nose. Lakshmi panicked and alerted her neighbours.

The baby was rushed to a private children's hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival. The doctors suggested that the baby may have died of asphyxiation after milk blocked her windpipe.

The child's father Dinesh, 32, who is employed with a private firm, was away at the workplace when the accident occurred. The girl was yet to be named as the family was planning a big celebration. The infant's parents did not lodge any complaint and no case was registered, police said.

Doctors say it can be dangerous to breastfeed a child in bed and that mothers should remain alert and keep the child awake while breastfeeding.

Last month, a three-month-old girl died while drinking milk from her mother. Overcome by fatigue, the child's mother Mohana fell asleep while breastfeeding the baby. She later found that the baby was not breathing. Meghala and her husband Gopi, 28, an electrician, tried to revive the child and rushed her to Stanley Medical College and Hospital, but it was too late.